Scout Archive

I've been playing for about 3 weeks (maybe 1 month) and haveread Delta's guide, researched as much as possible, and tried several skills but I can't seem to make up my mind about what combat skill to focus on to compliment my main skills.

Here's what I am certain of:

Master Scout

Master Ranger

Here's what I have/tried so far:

Rifle 3

Pistol 3

Carbine 2

Unarmed 4

Issues that I have with various methods of combat:

Rifle - Close range combat damage is HUGE! My tests with blue con creatures results in damage of 100+ when the same creature hits for 30's while in Unarmed Combat or while a Pistol or Carbine is equipped.

Pistol - Doesn't seem Scout/Ranger - ish to me and Bowcasters are considered Rifles.

Carbine - Other than the afore mentioned Bowcaster issue, none that i can readily think of.

Unarmed - Too much downtime. Almost need Medic skills in conjunction with this combat type. My suspicions are that melee weapon combat would be the same but i haven't tried any melee weapons yet. Also Bowcaster problem.

I had originally planned on being CH in conjunction with Scout and Ranger but my desire for that skill was only that I might have a hunting partner since I generally solo. I like the idea of the class but frankly there are too many people with pets for my tastes and it seems that CH has already been labeled as the "uber" class which is something I try to avoid. I would like to have some CH ability but at this point it would be so reduced that I would be better off saving the points and buying a CL15 pet like everyone else seems to be doing and that isn't something I'm willing to do as it destroys the mental image i had / have in my head of what a CH should be.

I have tried to plan things out on the various character builders (several times a day) which i'm afraid only makes me more unsure about what to do. We have traps that will compliment all of the damage types from Ranged weapons so that isn't really an issue.

So there you have it. I am probably not making any sense at this point and i'm NOT wanting a rundown of which is best necessarily. What i would appreciate is a sensible discussion of what my more experienced brethren have chosen and why they feel it was best for them.

Thank you in advance!

Lowger

Bloodfin

Low,

Check my Ranger guide for more info on this, but you're going about this the right way. I recommend going rifle, just for damage and backing that up with two-hand sword and swordsman. This gives you the ability to hit from long range, and a backup plan if you can't keep the critter at long range.

B

Low,

I have found, after doing rifle and HTH, that my original, pistol was the best bet for me. I just could not get over the huge range pently of rifle close up. I even spent 4k on a sweepstick, but found that lacking as well. In the end I returned to Pistol. It works as a best all around side arm for my play style. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

Ikop

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Lownewulfe wrote:

We have traps that will compliment all of the damage types from Ranged weapons so that isn't really an issue.

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Seems I was wrong. Having reviewed the traps again it seems they focus primarily on Mind damage. This would lend credence Delta's setup (not that i doubted him) and goes contrary to what I have been doing thus far. (My Rifle days were early on. My most recent weapon of choice was Pistol due to the HUGE!! damage I incur with a Rifle equipped)

Delta,

According to your Ranger Guide the 2H Sword Specials do Mind damage. How would you rate it in relation to Rifle? 1/4? 1/2?

The reason i'm asking is due an idea rolling around in my head. I'm wondering if it would be a more linear and judicious use of points to focus entirely on 2H Swords.

Scenario #1: Rifleman uses Spur and Noise traps to lessen the targets' mind pool then follows up with 1 shot from Rifle to mind pool. By this time the creature is on the Rifleman so he switches to 2H Sword and finishes the creature off with a mind pool damage Special Attack.

Scenario #2: 2H Swordsman uses Spur and Noise traps to lessen the targets' mind pool then uses one of the Wire varieties to lessen the targets' melee defense. By this time the target is on the Swordsman and he finishes it off with mind pool damage Special Attacks.

I understand, or suspect, that the Rifleman is going to get the kill before the Swordsman does however the Swordsman would have either more skill in Swords than the Rifleman does in Rifle, or the Swordsman would have alternate skills such as CH or Medic which would effectively lessen the Kill time or the downtime respectively. Now in your Ranger Guide you mention that our Melee brethren don't get to fully utilize the Ranger abilities due to the close nature of their preferred form of combat but with the use of the Traps as a "pulling" agent do you think that this hindrance might be overcome?

Ikop,

I agree with you regarding the Pistol. That is my current choice of weapon too but it's just not feeling right to me. I realize that is a poor reason to look to other areas but I feel like Will Smith in MIB..."I feel like i'm gonna break this **edit** thing!".

Imagine if you will an 8 foot tall fur-covered being with a .22 caliber pistol in his hand....good thing i play in 1st person or I'd never get anything accomplished due to laughing.

Lowger

Bloodfin

Low,

I'm still working on 2HS specialist, but I'm doing a fair amount of damage with my Vibroaxe. I've got a Power Hammer ready to go as soon as I hit Novice, but from what I've seen so far, the damage is comparable to a high end rifle - possible even a low end T21 (well, maybe not with the AC3).

If you do go 2HS - focus on levelling techniques and finesse...as those will give you the specials that smack the mind pool the hardest.

As I advance, I'll let you know more.

B

Delta,

I apologize for all of the scatter-brained questions and hypotheticals....I'm sure it's annoying to read them but just be thankful that you don't have to live with them rolling around in your head... ; )

Thank you both for your replies and info....it's greatly appreciated!

Lowger

Bloodfin

Although I have not yet reached Master Scout and Ranger that too is my ultimate goal. I found that Master Pikeman is the best accompany combat skill, although I have just touched the service in this skill, but it is working great for me and my style of play. Since I have chosen specialize in Scout, Ranger, and Squad Leader this leaves me with just enough skill points to choose one combat skill. The Pikeman is a leathal skill and is very fitting, in my eyes at least to go hand in hand with Ranger and Scout.

I, too, faced these same questions as I moved through the Scout tree and into the Ranger tree. I started with Rifle as it seemed to be the best compliment to the Scout/Ranger class. I am glad I stayed with it. I can now take out almost all white creatures and many yellow creatures before they even get to me. I have even stopped wearing any armor at all. I just rearranged my stats to go with a strong Mind and Health. I also maxed the skill that governs your Mind pool regeneration ( Focus or Willpower, can't remember which one. This seems to help significantly with down time although Rifle can be a Mind pool hog if your shots are not always on the mark.

I will be staying with the Rifle/Ranger combo. I have read some posts by Master Riflemen and they give me hope in knowing that many of the penalties that I live with now will become little more than an inconvenience when I go up that tree.I especially like the posts on the rate of fire they have at the extreme levels.

Good luck in your adventures no matter which discipline you take.